12-19-2020, 10:11 AM
Eight nuns die in the same week after COVID-19 spread through their retirement home
Eight American nuns living at a retirement home for sisters in suburban Milwaukee died of COVID-19 complications in the last week, including four who passed away on the same day, according to the congregation that runs the home.
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The first COVID-19 death at Notre Dame of Elm Grove happened on December 9, when Sisters Rose M. Feess, 91, and Mary Elva Wiesner, 94, died.Â
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Sister Dorothy MacIntyre, 88, died on December 11 and Sister Mary Alexius Portz, 96, passed away on Sunday, according to the congregation's website.
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Sisters Cynthia Borman, Joan Emily Kaul, Lillia Langreck and Michael Marie Laux all died on Monday.
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The School Sisters of Notre Dame Central Pacific Province said other sisters who live at Notre Dame of Elm Grove have also been diagnosed with COVID-19 but the international congregation of women declined to provide additional details, citing the residents' privacy.
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“All CDC guidelines are being followed regarding the care of sisters affected by COVID-19 and to avoid spread of the virus, including wearing masks, social distancing and handwashing," the School Sisters of Notre Dame said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the sisters, their caregivers and families. We invite you to join us in prayer for all those affected by the pandemic.”
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Linda Wickstrom, spokeswoman for the Waukesha County Department of Health & Human Services said county disease investigators have been working with the facility since School Sisters of Notre Dame contacted them in November.
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'Given the extreme contagiousness of this virus, it is exceedingly important for congregate settings to practice basic protocols to stop the spread of the disease,' Wickstrom said.Â
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She said the School Sisters of Notre Dame have been disinfecting high-touch surfaces, washing hands frequently, social distancing and wearing appropriate face coverings.Â
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Sciano also added that all residents with the virus have been isolated, and visitors are not allowed.
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This comes months after similar homes for the aging religious had reported multiple deaths from the coronavirus.Â
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Back in July, 13 nuns died at a convent near Detroit and seven died at a center for Maryknoll sisters in New York. At least six nuns also died at Our Lady of the Angels convent in Greenfield, Wisconsin, a home that provides memory care for nuns of the School Sisters of St. Francis and the School Sisters of Notre Dame.
Eight American nuns living at a retirement home for sisters in suburban Milwaukee died of COVID-19 complications in the last week, including four who passed away on the same day, according to the congregation that runs the home.
Â
The first COVID-19 death at Notre Dame of Elm Grove happened on December 9, when Sisters Rose M. Feess, 91, and Mary Elva Wiesner, 94, died.Â
Â
Â
Sister Dorothy MacIntyre, 88, died on December 11 and Sister Mary Alexius Portz, 96, passed away on Sunday, according to the congregation's website.
Â
Â
Sisters Cynthia Borman, Joan Emily Kaul, Lillia Langreck and Michael Marie Laux all died on Monday.
Â
Â
The School Sisters of Notre Dame Central Pacific Province said other sisters who live at Notre Dame of Elm Grove have also been diagnosed with COVID-19 but the international congregation of women declined to provide additional details, citing the residents' privacy.
Â
“All CDC guidelines are being followed regarding the care of sisters affected by COVID-19 and to avoid spread of the virus, including wearing masks, social distancing and handwashing," the School Sisters of Notre Dame said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the sisters, their caregivers and families. We invite you to join us in prayer for all those affected by the pandemic.”
Â
Linda Wickstrom, spokeswoman for the Waukesha County Department of Health & Human Services said county disease investigators have been working with the facility since School Sisters of Notre Dame contacted them in November.
Â
'Given the extreme contagiousness of this virus, it is exceedingly important for congregate settings to practice basic protocols to stop the spread of the disease,' Wickstrom said.Â
Â
She said the School Sisters of Notre Dame have been disinfecting high-touch surfaces, washing hands frequently, social distancing and wearing appropriate face coverings.Â
Â
Sciano also added that all residents with the virus have been isolated, and visitors are not allowed.
Â
This comes months after similar homes for the aging religious had reported multiple deaths from the coronavirus.Â
Â
Back in July, 13 nuns died at a convent near Detroit and seven died at a center for Maryknoll sisters in New York. At least six nuns also died at Our Lady of the Angels convent in Greenfield, Wisconsin, a home that provides memory care for nuns of the School Sisters of St. Francis and the School Sisters of Notre Dame.